News

A thriving coral reef was recently discovered off-shore from La Parguera, on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico.  The reef lies at a depth of 100-500 ft, covers approximately a 12 mile span, and has been described as, "sprawling and diverse."  

A student dive team, led by Richard Appeldoom of the University or Puerto Rico, "stumbled across" the reef during their dives.  They were very excited with the unexpected find of an extensive, vibrant or diverse reef at these depths.  The team is seeing fish species that used to be abundant on shallower reefs in the regions, such as grouper, snapper and reef sharks, and a variety of healthy corals.  

Puerto Rico's director of coastal management, Ernesto Diaz, has said that, based on research findings, Puerto Rico will work to extend environmental protrections to the mesophotic reefs.

Read more about this exciting new find at OurAmazingPlanet and CBS News.